Martin, Silverstein Collect Final Regular Season Weekly NECBL Honors
Danbury Westerners outfielder Ryan Martin and Bristol Blues right-handed pitcher Justin Silverstein have been named the NECBL Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, following standout performances during Week 8 of the 2026 season.
Ryan Martin (Danbury, Dallas Baptist) earned NECBL Player of the Week honors after delivering one of the league's most productive offensive weeks of the summer. The Marietta, Georgia native batted .429 with nine hits, two doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI, and six runs scored across six games. Martin finished the week with a .478 on-base percentage, a 1.095 slugging percentage, and a 1.573 OPS while also adding a stolen base. Martin accounted for four home runs which tied for the most in the league during Week 8, while his 12 RBI led all NECBL hitters. Martin is coming off his redshirt junior season at Dallas Baptist, where he appeared in 54 games and made 53 starts, batting .275 with 12 home runs, a .392 on-base percentage, and a .513 slugging percentage.
Justin Silverstein (Bristol, High Point) claimed NECBL Pitcher of the Week honors after authoring one of the league's most dominant starts of the season. The Shelton, Connecticut native tossed eight scoreless innings for Bristol, allowing only three hits while striking out 13 batters and holding opposing hitters to a .125 batting average. The High Point right-hander earned the victory while surrendering no extra-base hits. Silverstein recently completed his sophomore season with the Panthers, making 14 appearances and five starts while recording 26 strikeouts over 17 innings. Silverstein allowed only 14 hits and held opponents to a .219 batting average. Silverstein recently completed his sophomore stint with the Panthers, making 14 appearances and five starts while recording 26 strikeouts over 17 innings. He allowed only 14 hits and held opponents to a .219 batting average, the fifth-lowest mark on the High Point pitching staff. Silverstein registered a season-high five strikeouts in a start against North Carolina A&T at Truist Point and earned his first victory of the season by striking out three in relief during a 2-1 win at UNC Wilmington. Silverstein began his collegiate career at NCAA Division III UMass Boston, where he made 12 appearances as a freshman, posted a 2-1 record, and struck out 18 batters over 12 innings.
Week 8 Honor Roll - Position Players
Gavin Donohue (Sacred Heart), Danbury Westerners, INF
Alex Benevento (Brown), Vermont Mountaineers, OF
Hunter Kingsbury (Bryant), North Shore Navigators, OF
Nico Soul (Appalachian State), Valley Blue Sox, OF
Charlie Meglio (Rutgers), Keene SwampBats, INF
Devan Zirwas (Eastern Michigan), Newport Gulls, INF
Dylan Fitzsimmons (St. John's), Keene SwampBats, OF
Week 8 Honor Roll - Pitchers
Cole Gibson (New Haven), Danbury Westerners
Kayden Faulcon (Pittsburgh), Ocean State Waves
Victor Frederick (St. John's), Newport Gulls
Mike Poncini (Georgetown), Mystic Schooners
Hayden Lee (Salve Regina), Danbury Westerners
Drew Smith (UConn), Sanford Mainers
Michael Delph (Army West Point), Danbury Westerners
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The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a wooden bat collegiate summer league featuring teams across all six New England states. Since its founding in 1994, the NECBL has produced more than 230 Major League Baseball alumni, including nearly 30 first-round MLB Draft selections. For continuing coverage of the NECBL, visit NECBL.com and follow the league on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
